Odessa is a port city, a resort city that welcomed adventurous and talented migrants from France, Italy and the rest of Europe with open arms. Their creative activity today is reflected in the architectural outlines of Odessa. Here, every street and house has its own special family history - sometimes intriguing, funny, and sometimes completely sad.
The combination of the magnificent sea air, the sunny Black Sea coastline and the amazing hospitality of the locals make Odessa a popular vacation destination. During the summer months, the city is filled with colorful, cheerful masses of tourists. People walk along the embankments until the morning and enjoy the romantic sounds of the surf, sunbathe on the beaches and enjoy visiting the historical sites of Odessa.
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What to see and where to go in Odessa?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater
Odessa became the third city in the Russian Empire, where a theater appeared. The first building was built in 1810, but after a few decades it burned down. The next one appeared at the end of the 19th century and is still working. The building was erected in the style of the Viennese Baroque; the auditorium, unique in acoustics, is decorated with elements of the French Baroque.
Monument to Duke de Richelieu
In the 19th century, the Duke de Richelieu emigrated to the Russian Empire due to the events of the French Revolution, and for some time served as governor of Odessa. He is considered one of the founders of Odessa. The monument was opened in 1828 on the initiative of the current mayor, Count Langeron. F. Boffo and I. Martos worked on the sculpture. The monument is decorated with Odessa Primorsky Boulevard.
The Potemkin Stairs
The staircase existed even before the appearance of Odessa and led to the top of the hill, where the Turkish fortress stood. After the territory was ceded to the Russian Empire, the staircase was reconstructed under the supervision of the architect F. Boffo. During the last restoration in 1933, some areas were asphalted, the parapets were tiled in pink granite, and the staircase lost 8 steps.
Deribasovskaya street
One of the central streets of Odessa, a popular city attraction. Initially it was named after Admiral Jose de Ribas, who participated in the construction of the Odessa port. The street is a cobblestone pavement that gradually descends to the sea. On Deribasovskaya, mainly buildings of the 19th century prevail. There are various monuments in the squares and on the sidewalks.
Primorsky Boulevard
One of the most picturesque streets of Odessa, a favorite place for meddling of townspeople and tourists. The alley is planted with chestnuts, maples, plane trees and lime trees, which gives it a romantic "landscape" look. Primorsky Boulevard is built up with buildings in the style of the Italian Renaissance and Classicism. They spoil the look of the buildings of the Soviet period a little. The street is the front facade of Odessa and looks very favorably from the sea.
Vorontsov Palace
The residence of the Governor-General M. Vorontsov, built in 1834. The building was severely damaged during the Crimean War. The shelling of the Anglo-French squadron turned it into ruins. Subsequently, the palace was restored and continued to be used as the governor's residence, later a male gymnasium was opened on its territory. In Soviet times, it served as a center for children's creativity and education.
Shah's palace
A neo-Gothic mansion on Gogol Street, named "Shah's Palace" for the reason that the Persian Shah Muhammad Ali once stayed here. The ruler fled to Odessa after the revolutionary events in Iran. The mansion is a building of the middle of the 19th century, erected for the Polish aristocrat Z. Brzhozovsky. Now the office of a private company is located on its territory.
Transfiguration Cathedral
Vowel Orthodox Cathedral of Odessa. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was the largest Orthodox church in the Russian Empire. Up to 9 thousand people could attend the service at the same time. The remains of M. Vorontsov and his wife were buried here. In 1936, the building was blown up by the decision of the Soviet authorities. The cathedral was completely restored in the 2000s, and the remains of the Vorontsov family were returned to their original place.
Holy Dormition Monastery
The monastery grew out of the bishop's courtyard at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1922, the Soviet government decided to confiscate property and blow up churches, but the monastery still continued to exist, although representatives of the schismatic movement settled on its territory. In 1944, the monastery was completely revived; since 1946, the summer residence of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church has been located here.
Odessa Museum of Western and Eastern Art
The museum was founded in 1923 and was based on exhibits from private collections. Later, the museum funds were replenished at the expense of the Kiev Museum of Western and Eastern Art and the St. Petersburg State Hermitage. Today it is considered one of the largest art collections in Ukraine. The art of the countries of the East, Western Europe and the ancient historical period is presented here.
Odessa Art Museum
The exposition is located in the Potocki Palace - an architectural monument of the 19th century in the classical style. The museum was opened in 1899 thanks to the activities of the Odessa Society of Fine Arts. The first exhibits were donated from the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Now the museum funds contain icons, paintings, graphics, collections of decorative and applied art.
Archaeological Museum
The museum appeared in 1825 on the basis of a private collection. The largest collection of archaeological artifacts of the ancient culture of the Northern Black Sea region is kept here. The funds also contain exhibits from Ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome. Collections of items made of precious metals, ornaments from the burial grounds of the Scythians and Sarmatians, and luxury items recovered from the burial mounds of nomads are especially interesting.
House-wall
A house on Primorsky Boulevard with a rather interesting architectural structure. If you look at it from a certain angle, it will seem as if the structure has no side walls. This effect was achieved thanks to the triangular layout of the building (this trick was implemented due to a lack of funds for construction). Locals nicknamed the building "The Witch's House".
Falz-Fein House
The building is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Odessa and the most successful creation of the architect L. Vlodek. The facade of the building is decorated with the figures of two Atlanteans carrying the vault of heaven on their shoulders. These figures are not bas-reliefs; they constitute an independent sculptural group. Before the revolution, the building belonged to the Falz-Fein family - honorary citizens of Odessa.
Passage
An architectural monument of the XIX-XX centuries, which is located at the intersection of Preobrazhenskaya and Deribasovskaya streets. There is a hotel and shopping malls on the territory of the complex. The roof of the building is decorated with a real steam locomotive. The interior space of the Passage resembles the interiors of the Moscow GUM. Before the Revolution of 1917, the most prestigious and expensive shops in Odessa were located here.
Hotel Bolshaya Moskovskaya
The hotel was built during the "hotel boom" at the beginning of the 20th century, when apartment buildings were being built in large numbers. Every trading company with free capital sought to invest in the construction of the next hotel."Bolshaya Moskovskaya" was built at the expense of the company "Dementyev and Co". This luxurious Art Nouveau building has become one of the most popular Odessa hotels.
Hotel Bristol
Historical hotel of the late 19th century (5 stars by modern classification). The building was designed by A. Minkus and A. Bernardazzi. After the completion of the construction, "Bristol" immediately acquired the fame of the most luxurious hotel in Odessa. In the period from 2002 to 2010. the building was closed for renovation. As a result of the restoration work, the historical appearance of the 19th century was completely restored.
Odessa catacombs
A system of underground tunnels and labyrinths, the total length of which is approximately 2500 km. The catacombs arose with the beginning of the construction of the city in the 18th century. Previously, there were quarries here, where limestone was mined. Odessa catacombs are considered to be the most complex, extended and mysterious in the world. Until now, many sections of the underground passages have not been fully explored.
Mother-in-law's bridge
A pedestrian bridge that connects Zhvanetsky Boulevard and Primorsky Boulevard. The name "Mother-in-law's Bridge" was invented by the townspeople. In Soviet times, there was a legend that the passage was built specifically for the first secretary of the Odessa Regional Committee, so that it would be easier for him to get to visit his mother-in-law through the ravine. In this place, newlyweds traditionally hang iron locks, symbolizing strong marriage bonds.
Market "Privoz"
The history of the market is inextricably linked with the history of the development of trade in Odessa. The marketplace was established in 1827. Here they mainly traded in imported goods, which is why the market has such a name. In the early 2000s. a general reconstruction was carried out. As a result, office buildings and modern shopping centers appeared on the territory of Privoz.
Shevchenko park
City amusement park equipped according to the latest technological advances in this field. There is entertainment for both the youngest children and their adult parents. Visitors are amused by clowns, cartoon characters and other fabulous creatures. The park features roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, fun mazes and many types of carousels.
City garden
City park, where in the past the stormy life of Odessa society was in full swing. The garden was founded by Felix de Ribas at the beginning of the 19th century. On the territory there are a music pavilion, the Summer Theater, several monuments and sculptural compositions, a fountain. The city garden was renovated and reconstructed in 2007. The park continues to play the role of a favorite place for relaxation and walking.
Odessa city dolphinarium
Dolphinarium "Nemo" is located near the beach "Lanzheron", it was opened in 2005. This is a multifunctional entertainment complex, which includes: an oceanarium, a hotel, a chain of restaurants, beaches, and a dolphin therapy center. Nemo constantly hosts exciting dolphin shows and romantic night shows. Visitors can also swim with these amazing animals.
Arcadia
Resort area in Odessa, located within the Primorsky district. Arcadia is the very center of the city's vacation life. There are countless restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and walking streets here. The local beach is the most convenient in Odessa, as there is a natural gentle descent to it. In the high season, life in Arcadia is in full swing around the clock, the noisy streets do not stop for a minute.
Monument to the sailor's wife
The memorial depicts a beautiful young woman with a child in her arms. It was erected on the Odessa embankment in memory of the sailors who did not return from the battles. The monument was erected in 2002 on the territory of the Odessa port. Quite quickly, the modest monument became a city landmark, where many tourists like to be photographed.
